Rambly Thoughts on Relationships and on How Much Better God's Plans and Ways Are and on How He Can Do Great Things When We Listen to His Voice! :D

When it comes to relationships, it seems like even within God-honoring relationships we can easily tend toward focusing on ideals of how things must or *must not* take place.
It’s easy to think that something couldn’t possibly be God unless it happens exactly according to our preconceived ideas and the rules we’d made in our own minds. (“God, the person has to have certain outward qualities, cannot be from any other state, etc.”) I think it's also important for us to realize that lack of immediate emotion doesn't mean a relationship is unthinkable, just like the presence of emotion doesn't mean that one is appropriate.

Within the boundaries of Biblical relationships that are in line with God-given guidelines, I think God is more than capable of surprising us by transcending our expected specifics of how things should occur. (When I say that He's capable of transcending emotions, I do *not* mean that we won’t be attracted to our future spouses! I’m just saying God is capable of sparking attraction where we didn’t expect it.)

It’s easy to get so worried about how God will work things out that we’re actually distracted by our own consuming thoughts and miss out on things God has for us, things that don’t always occur exactly when or how we expected. Guidelines are awesome, but once we’ve studied Biblical principles about relationships, walking in line with what God shows us in each circumstance we face is most important. We girls can be consumed with making ourselves the most desirable, most attractive potential spouse for someone and constantly hoping that the right person will show up in the next month or two, when God already has taken it upon Himself to transform us with His beauty if we're really willing to allow Him to transform our lives and make us more like Him. We really don't have to be worried. When we follow Him each step of the way and do our best to be the women He wants us to be, we can grow in maturity and make wise choices, without carrying alone the burden to transform our own selves.  He can show us just what we need to do to be ready for whatever He's calling us to, if we're just willing to sit at His feet and listen.

It's easy as young women to let our feelings determine our desires, when our greatest desires should be to allow God to conform our feelings to line up with His plans. God’s so much more capable of bringing things to pass than we are, anyway, and the things He plans are always so much higher than our own plans. It's true in so many areas of life.

We really should do our best to be prepared for whatever future we think God is calling us to, to be well-approved, and to grow in wisdom and in favor with God and man. Yet as we wait, I think we need to wait even more upon God than upon a future spouse. =)

"As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

Psalm 18

Being Satisfied in Christ, Overflowing with Love for HIM!

We serve a jealous God. I think that it would bring Him much greater joy if we learn to be fulfilled wherever He has us now. Then if He does bring us another person to love, perhaps we'll be able to expand our love and attention to another person without it being as great a distraction as that Paul lamented. I'd like to be in a spot where the love I give to others is the overflow from being saturated in my love relationship with Him. I think we'd be in an amazing situation if our relationships with others didn't detract from our relationship with God.
How difficult, though--I suppose that's why Paul recognized how easy it is for us to be distracted and caught up with others without putting Him first.

It sounds silly, but it reminds me of what I felt like God was teaching me the other day while I was eating a snack. I felt disappointed because it just wasn't as pleasing as I'd hoped. "This is so unfulfilling," I thought. I felt convicted as soon as the thought crossed my mind for even applying the term "fulfilling" to something so transient that could never deserve that adjective on its own.

When I'm having a difficult day, somehow a snack doesn't raise my level of joy in proportion to the difficulty.
If our attitudes are flawed, will a relationship fix all the problems?
If we're already not content where we are, would we really be completely content in a different state?
We might be happier for a time, but the state of being in a relationship is never without its difficulties, either.
Just like the snack couldn't bring contentment, I don't think different relationship statuses can alone bring total fulfillment.
I tend to think that good things aren't as fulfilling as we'd hoped if we aren't already satisfied and content in the Giver of them even before they're given.

God is so good to us!

Are you surprised that I’m confused again, God?
What is it you’re doing with my life?
What is it you’re wanting from me?

I can’t see.
I can't even see what's right in front of me some days.
And even when I do see what's right before my eyes,
I fail to discern sometimes,
Or interpret incorrectly.
I feel like a fool.

I feel.
But vision’s thwarted by my thoughts.
I know the path’s not changing.
It’s my sight that wavers.
Oh, how tears can blur my view of something steadfast.

Catch them.
Catch me.

I need You so much.
I love You so much.
I know you know it;
You don’t forget that kind of thing.
And even if You did, I’m telling You again.

I know you know how much I want You.
Help me show it.
Oh God, help me show it.

I lack eloquence.
But how much eloquence is really needed
For me to remind you that I want to be Yours?

I get tired of confusion,
But not of You.
One day at a time You show me more..

Oh, the theme is old…
Words repeated, thoughts recurring.
One hazy viewpoint succeeded by another.

For life consists of more than just one question.
I don't know what I'd do if You weren't my Forever Answer.I don't know what I'd do without You.

I know confusion doesn’t last forever.
But You do.
A theme may grow tiresome when it's turned to prose.
But adoration is never out-dated.
Uphold me, God, uphold me.

Being perplexed, I say,

"Lord, make it right!"

Night is as day to Thee,

Darkness as light.

I am afraid to touch

Things that involve so much;

My trembling hand may shake,

My skilless hand may break;

Thine can make no mistake.

"Being in doubt I say,

"Lord, make it plain;

Which is the true, safe way?

Which would be gain?

I am not wise to know,

Not sure of foot to go;

What is so clear to Thee,

Lord, make it clear to me!"

~Streams in the Desert

Post-Campaigning Thoughts

“This is the 400th call I’ve gotten from you people, and I’m getting sick of it,” the woman tells me when she hears why I have called.

Grating is the sound of her berating.

I don’t agree. But then, my view may be one that she’ll never see. Perhaps I ask of her something she’ll never be.

I understand. Who wants to hear the same thing even twice?

I have heard those who are disturbed to hear me speak about things that should mean more than dirt at their feet.

I’m grateful: the words I speak are not all scattered with the dust.

In life, I’ve made petitions even more crucial than for votes.

That they’ve been heard I have no doubt. Nor do I doubt that, when accepted, they are valued, even when the King I come before has already heard me call out a great many times, even when my request sounds just the same.

A plethora of conversation brings Him pleasure. Scores of seekers cry out simultaneously; still He smiles at me.

He tells me:

“Come again. All day I long to hear your voice, each night to know your thoughts.

I know the secret things already, come, talk with me about them. Don't be afraid.You’ve considered that so many times; why have we only discussed it four?

Or perhaps we’ve spoken four-hundred times already. I wish it had been more. Let’s amend the lack, increase the frequency. Even silence can be saturated with worship that means more than words express.

Speak with me more.

I’ll always answer when you knock at my door.”

Only One can I think of Who would give all He had that I might be His supplicant.

Having a good conversation with Him? Incomparable.

And for the record...campaigning was amazing, filled with close friends, awesome leaders, and dedication to work for something we believe in.
There's joy in the knowledge that even when a candidate doesn't win, He makes our efforts worthwhile. ;)

Where I belong, what I deserve,
Unsure, unworthy, scared to swerve -
My thoughts so often earthly though I'm born anew.

I know that I'm a treasured sheep
And in Your fold each night I sleep,
But after sleep, still-wearied sheep need trust that's deep.

Falt'ring seems the peace that comes
From being in Your called-out ones
And trusting thus that You shall steer me true.

Remind me that my source of joy is You.

The rest I seek consists of hope in You.
You're strength for everything I need to do.
With perfect grace and wisdom now mine, too,
Continue teaching me what pleases You.
Your own desires fulfill and change my plans into.

Paths may curve or narrow, it is true,
But courage for the course You've called me to
Lies in my knowledge that You'll see me through,
Though foes abound and sheep friends may seem few.
Don't ever let my eyes stray off of You.

Remind me that Your promises are true.
As a river, daily does Your peace continue;
It doesn't falter--just the one it's promised to.
My path is mapped, and I'm content recalling Who
Has planned good steps in ways to teach, correct, renew.

Remind me that Your promises are true.
Remind me that my source of joy is You.

Sometimes I wish that I could see clearly the entire path God has planned for my life. Frustrated I grow when I'm coming closer and closer to an intersection in my life and I don't know which way to turn...or if I should turn.
I'd like to know why the direction He tells me to take is the right direction.
I walk, but can't help thinking that I'd prefer to be flying a plane above the path so that I could look down, see where the finish line lies, and understand why He leads me where He leads me.I want the whole map.

I am so human.

I am so grateful that God is not.

How much wiser and higher than my own are His thoughts and plans.
I'm realizing that God likes to lead me one step at a time, rather than showing me all He has planned for me. It's enough to know His plans are good.
Right now I need to know the next step...and I need to know it soon.

God, help me to be diligent. Help me to be patient.
Help me to hear. Help me to be obedient.